Crystal Kung Minkoff, the first Asian-American “Bravolebrity” in the “Real Housewives” universe, brought some of her personal traditions to “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”
During the season 11 finale, the direct descendant of Confucius organized a traditional Chinese New Year celebration for Garcelle Beauvais, Kathy Hilton, Lisa Rinna, Kyle Richards, Sutton Stracke, Dorit Kessley, and Erika Jayne.
“I enjoyed celebrating Chinese New Year with the girls,” Crystal said in an exclusive interview with The Post. Because the celebration was so important to me, they assured me there would be no drama, which I liked. This is my essence, my life, and my tradition. My family was in attendance. The girls truly understood and accepted the customs.”
Season 12 brought some of the most dramatic and divisive moments in “Real Housewives” history, forcing Rinna to announce her departure from the cast last month.
“It went much further than I expected or desired for anyone,” Crystal said of the outburst in which Rinna called Hilton “the devil.” However, I was somewhat surprised when Lisa left.
The entrepreneur behind The Real Coco is married to “The Lion King” producer and director Rob Minkoff. The couple resides with their two children in Bel Air.
Nonetheless, she admitted, “‘Real Housewives’ is also a revolving door. There is now opportunity for more women to appear on the show as a result of the departure of a number of previously significant figures.
Crystal entered this “revolving door” in 2021, when she replaced Denise Richards and Teddi Mellencamp on the show. The California native is married to “The Lion King,” “Stuart Little,” and “The Haunted” director and producer Rob Minkoff. The 15-year-married couple resides in Bel Air with their two young children, Max and Zoe. Crystal is also an entrepreneur; she founded the beverage firm Real Coco.
The relative newcomer, with only two seasons of Prada under her belt, is still finding her footing on the program. Crystal has been extremely candid about her lifelong battle with eating and bulimia, which she says began when she was 11 years old.
“For a very long time, I detested food. I viewed it as the adversary. Every time I went on a diet, I was so focused on food, and then I would say, “OK, I’m not eating now.” I was so desperate to find a solution that I opted to embrace food rather than deny its existence.”
To combat her illness, Crystal enrolled in culinary school and founded Real Coco. Today, the company has sold over 10 million Costco-stocked bottles of coconut water.
“This has been an integral part of my healing and recovery,” she added of her culinary entrepreneur profession. “I learnt to respect food rather than reject it. I am not completely healed, but I don’t believe I will ever be. However, cooking has put me in a good mood.”
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Clearly, she still finds the topic challenging. On an episode of RHOBH, Crystal was obviously provoked by Erika Jayne’s harsh discussion on eating issues (including Jayne recommending laxatives).
“People asked me why I didn’t fight back,” Crystal told The Post of her decision to flee during the confrontation. “When something is unbearably terrible, some people may fight back. However, it is not my reaction. As a result of my clamming up, this is what people observed. I cannot engage in a debate on this subject. I’m already fighting enough battles within myself, so I won’t fight anyone who tries to comprehend what I’m going through.”
She underlined, “My health and my recovery are essential.” “Nothing else matters. The show is irrelevant.”
Consequently, Crystal wishes to return to RHOBH. Bravo has not yet revealed the cast for season 13. Castmates and friends have chastised her for not “being herself” on camera. Therefore, she would like to reveal more of her personality.
Kung Minkoff (second from right) has not yet been confirmed for the upcoming season of “Real Housewives,” but she has stated that she hopes to be invited back so she can “share my entire life” on the show.
Tommy Garcia/Bravo
Crystal stated, “I’m actually a very bubbly person who enjoys having a lot of fun.” “Last season was very drama-centered. The subjects we discuss are fairly weighty. Therefore, it is difficult to have pleasure in that setting. I am not a performative person, thus I will not pretend to enjoy myself. But if I do return, I would wish to access my entire existence.”
Crystal has known Hilton the longest, but she has developed the strongest bonds with Beauvais and Stracke. She compares the RHOBH experience to entering a sorority, but then reveals that she left a sorority six months into her freshman year at the University of California, Irvine.
However, she believes she has a significant role to play at this moment.
“It was incredibly meaningful for me to join the show,” stated Crystal. “This occurred during the height of anti-Asian bias crimes… What pushed me over the edge to say yes was the opportunity to show my culture and family in a positive light since it is a wonderful thing in my life — especially at a time when Asian Americans faced so much negativity and polarization.”
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The letters she receives from her followers demonstrate her impact: “Asian women and young girls remark, ‘I can’t believe you’re on RHOBH. I cannot believe I saw someone who resembles myself. Nonetheless, you cannot represent every single Asian individual. We are not a unified group.”
Regarding her illustrious ancestry, Crystal is in fact the 76th descendant of Confucius, the renowned Chinese philosopher and politician. In Confucius’ hometown of Qufu, China, a family tree traces and certifies all descendants. For Crystal’s generation, it was the first time that girls were permitted to be included in the record. Her father is notably buried in the Confucian cemetery, which is a high honor.
Therefore, it is not surprising that Crystal takes the Lunar New Year so seriously.
“One of the traditions is to clean your home prior to the Chinese New Year,” she explained. It is similar to our spring cleaning. On Chinese New Year, you cannot remove anything from your home, including your garbage. You cannot cut your hair because you will lose all your money. That day, you cannot even wash your hair since you are washing away your fortune. Therefore, you prepare beforehand.”
Crystal runs Real Coco, plays tennis, and goes out with her pre-RHOBH friends when she is not filming.
She stated, “I literally wear my Costco jeans every single day.” “But when you’re on television, you can’t always wear Costco jeans. Close pals who are fashion designers assist me with my clothes. They are not my team, as they are my girlfriends. Jessica, who does my hair, is someone I’ve known since birth. Our parents are best friends, so we grew up together. When I’m anxious about a performance, being with my buddies is incredibly beneficial. They keep me in check.”
Clearly, Crystal’s status as a Real Housewife has not made her arrogant.
She stated, “A portion of it feels like its own bubble.” “Then the other aspect of it seeps into my daily life, such as when someone recognizes me from the program. I’m achieving equilibrium, but it takes time. I could never comprehend the RHOBH experience as thoroughly as Kyle does 12 years later. I’m still learning.”
Hair: Jessica Gordon-Carson; Photographer: John Chapple for NY Post; Stylist: Star Burleigh/Celestine Agency; Assistant Stylist: Ali Gambino; Cosmetics: Jessica Delmonte
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